CATTLEYA MASTERSONLA. 
[PuatEe 385.] 
Garden Hybrid. 
Epiphytal. Pseudobulbs erect, clavate, thickening upwards, furrowed, from six 
to eight inches high, and diphyllous. Leaves broadly oblong obtuse, emarginate, 
leathery in texture, and deep green. Scape terminal, erect, bearing several flowers, 
which are from four to five inches across. Sepals and petals soft rosy purple, 
the latter much the broader, and undulated; lip three-lobed, lateral lobes yellowish 
- white on the outside, bordered with amethyst, anterior lobe broad and spreading, 
bifid, intense rich purple in front, the base and throat being of a soft clear yellow. 
It is the result of a cross between C. Loddigesii and C. labiata. 
Carrteya Mastersonte, Reichenbach fil., Gardeners’ Chronicle, x., 1878, p. 556; 
Williams, Orchid-Grower’s Manual, 6 ed., p. 189. 
We here introduce to our readers one of the most charming of the hybrid 
Cattleyas raised by the Messrs. Veitch in their nursery at Chelsea, and we believe 
it to be one of the first seedlings produced in that establishment. There are 
numerous other hybrid kinds most beautiful in figuration, whose portraits will be 
found in the various volumes of this work, and there yet remains many others to 
be figured. The plant we here portray is the offspring of Cattleya Loddigesii and 
C. labiata, two species very different in growth and flower. The bloom of this 
plant partakes of the character of C. labiata, especially in its form and colours, 
whilst its growth with its two leaves more closely resembles the first-named parent. . 
There are, however, great variations in seedling Orchids, and in C. Mastersonie 
there are also varieties, some far inferior to that whose portrait we here represent. 
The specimen our drawing was taken from was grown by Mr. Woolford when 
he had charge of the late very fine collection formed by W. Lee, Esq., of 
Downside, Leatherhead, and at the sale of these plants it realised a considerable 
sum of money, as the variety is still very rare, especially such a fine form as this 
was well known to be. 
Cattleya Mastersonie is a_ beautiful evergreen plant. The pseudobulbs are 
some eight inches high, and bear on the summit a pair of stout leathery leaves, 
which are about four inches long by two inches in breadth, and lively green in 
colour. The scape is terminal, rises from a large sheath, and bears several flowers, 
which are arranged somewhat closely together; they are of good substance, and 
measure some five inches across. The sepals and petals are rose-purple or amethyst, — 
whilst the lateral lobe of the lip is yellowish white, with a delicate amethyst — 
border, the front lobe being of an intense rich purple. It blooms during the 
spring months, and continues in beauty between three and four weeks. : oe 
M . = . 
